Scunthorpe United 5 Charlton Athletic 3
Funny, well not funny, but only yesterday one of my commenters said that our problem was that we were letting too many goals in. I replied saying we had the joint 6th best defensive record in the league. We did.
Without a doubt we have often looked shaky at the back this season, not helped by any means of it being chopped and changed due to injuries. There is also the worthwhile argument that Dillon Phillips should never have lost his place between the posts.
After Lewis Page went off, who had been playing with an injury, we had three left-footed players playing in the back four and arguably three of the four were out of their natural position. Solly only uses his left to stand on, and added to too many misplaced passes any defensive frailties became far too apparent, and unfortunately outshone our good offensive work. crucial refeering decisions didn’t go for us either.
But as Bowyer said, you can’t play two away games in four days, score 5 goals and only have a point to show for it.
Last night was a bit like watching Charlton of the late 1970’s. Listening to LBC on the radio and going back to the game every 10 minutes because “there’s a been a goal at..”
We may see more results like last night, although hopefully in our favour. It wasn’t all bad. We had the lion’s share of possession and going forward we were dangerous and by all accounts moved the ball really well. Grant had a great chance to put us 3-1 up, but chose to shoot and not pass to an unmarked Aribo.
It seemed like everyone in the ground and those watching and listening in were shocked that we went in behind at half-time. Then to pull it back again, we should have been in the driving seat. It was a kick in the teeth to see us then give it all away. Dodgy penalty or not.
Overplaying Page has bitten us on the arse. Fosu and Grant are also probably not 100% fit. Pratley is a yellow card waiting to happen and is now banned. The fragility of our squad is never far away. Defensively we have a headache. Page sadly sounds as if he may now be out for a while, we need Bielik back after the International break, but Bowyer may have to use Djiksteel in a back three at Coventry on Saturday with someone like Lapslie as a wing back.
We’ll put last night down to experience.
Addicks at Glanfield Park:
Bow:: “It was the craziest, most frustrating, disappointing game I’ve been involved in as a manager so far. I’m seeing good things but horrendous things too.”
Elsewhere: Portsmouth are looking strong. They won 1-0 at Coventry as all around teams slipped up. Barnsley were held at home by Plymouth, Doncaster lost at Accrington, who move into 5th, Walsall were thwarted by Shrewsbury and in the game of the day Sunderland and Peterborough drew 2-2.
Chicago Addick 
Yes, this defensive problem has never been far away all season and ok despite and a ridiculous state of affairs playing Page while carrying an injury and Bows admitted there is no cover and the other week stating he has the squad he wants, but that was before further injuries!!!
This Page injury was waiting to happen and it was obvious it would sooner than later and there are at least 2 more in that backline who are very injury prone and across the team also.
Also, we have the ridiculous situation about the GK and Bows I bet will not admit he was wrong in playing Stead and will not drop him.
Indeed it seems that Sarr is being heavily criticised and yes he makes errors, but come on when Pearce or Bauer makes them and they certainly do they never ever get criticised.
We are far away from the automatic top 2 as it stands and yes granted a long way to go and well big deal on the fringe of the playoffs.
The transfer window is shut, but I understand one can sign out of contract players still or those without a club and surely Bows would go down this path, but probably been told what to say and there is no more money available from you know whom.
On the update of this non-event, the T/O is becoming even more farcical each and every single day and now again stating there is paperwork to be lodged with the EFL, but they say there is not. Who is lying and we all know, the CAFC club itself!!!
Yes, even the forwards have been guilty of missing chances too, but yes scoring 5 goals and getting that one solitary point and that in the last seconds of the game and 5 conceded bad decisions as well, but nevertheless here is the problem.
Together with no adequate replacements and many other injury prone players breaking down all of the time.
I totally agree with your comments. It would be great if we could pick up an out of contract player but the drawback would be that he would be unlikely to be fit enough to play immediately.
Like you I was not happy playing Page whilst carrying an injury, but our defensive resources are lacking in depth. Dijksteel who is a midfielder is our cover for Solly or option as the right side of a back 3. As you suggest other midfielders like Lapslie and Morgan may need to do a job as full backs or wingbacks, As I have said before the defensive players in the U23s are not ready for league football. Frankly the U18s and U23s are not up to the standard we have had in recent years. The best players in the U18s are two U16s playing out of their age group.